Layla Moran Portrait

Layla Moran

Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon

First elected: 8th June 2017

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (International Development)

(since September 2020)

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)

(since September 2020)

Down Syndrome Bill
19th Jan 2022 - 26th Jan 2022
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Education)
16th Jun 2017 - 7th Sep 2020
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Aug 2019 - 6th Jan 2020
Public Accounts Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Layla Moran has voted in 645 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Layla Moran Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
James Cleverly (Conservative)
Home Secretary
(43 debate interactions)
Andrew Mitchell (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
(27 debate interactions)
Dominic Raab (Conservative)
(24 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(51 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(34 debate contributions)
Home Office
(33 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Layla Moran's debates

Oxford West and Abingdon Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

We want the UK to be neutral in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and withdraw offers of support for Israel.

We want the Government to seek a ceasefire and also seek to address the root cause of the current conflict by promoting dialogue and advocating for the end of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The UK Government should urge the Israeli Government to stop the blockade of Food, Fuel and Electricity to the already impoverished city of Gaza

The Government must exercise its power under s.23 of the Gender Recognition Act to modify the operation of the Equality Act 2010 by specifying the terms sex, male, female, man & woman, in the operation of that law, mean biological sex and not "sex as modified by a Gender Recognition Certificate"

It has been reported that the Government may amend the Equality Act to "make it clear that sex means biological sex rather than gender." The Government has previously committed to not remove legal protections for trans people, an already marginalised group, but this change would do so.

Ensure any ban fully includes trans people and all forms of conversion therapy.

Reform the GRA to allow transgender people to self-identify without the need for a medical diagnosis, to streamline the administrative process, and to allow non-binary identities to be legally recognised.

The Government must make a public statement on the #kissanprotests & press freedoms.

India is the worlds largest democracy & democratic engagement and freedom of the press are fundamental rights and a positive step towards creating a India that works for all.

The UK Government plans to introduce “Magnitsky law”, a law which targets people who commit gross human rights violations. Through this law or alternative means, this petition urges the UK Government to impose sanctions on China for their human rights violations on the Uyghur people.


Latest EDMs signed by Layla Moran

21st March 2024
Layla Moran signed this EDM as a sponsor on Friday 22nd March 2024

One year anniversary of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov

Tabled by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
That this House notes that today marks the one year anniversary of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov, a dual Russian-Israeli national, who is being held hostage in Iraq by the militant group Kata'ib Hezbollah; expresses dismay at her kidnapping and calls for her immediate release; extends solidarity to her family …
20 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 8
Liberal Democrat: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Labour: 2
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
11th March 2024
Layla Moran signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 11th March 2024

Alleged comments by Frank Hester

Tabled by: Dawn Butler (Labour - Brent Central)
That this House expresses its shock regarding the alleged comments made by Frank Hester reported by The Guardian about the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and all Black women; believes these alleged comments to be both racist and violent in nature; notes that Mr Hester is a …
70 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 37
Scottish National Party: 15
Liberal Democrat: 10
Plaid Cymru: 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Conservative: 1
Independent: 1
Alba Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Alliance: 1
View All Layla Moran's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Layla Moran, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


3 Urgent Questions tabled by Layla Moran

Thursday 6th July 2023
Wednesday 10th March 2021
Wednesday 13th May 2020

2 Adjournment Debates led by Layla Moran

Wednesday 24th February 2021

14 Bills introduced by Layla Moran


A Bill to make provision in connection with the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 17th March 2023
(Read Debate)

A Bill to make provision in connection with the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament an equalities impact assessment of the effects on women and girls of the decision not to spend 0.7% of UK gross national income on official development assistance in each financial year until that target is again reached.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to set up a register of overseas entities and their beneficial owners and require overseas entities who own land to register in certain circumstances.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 18th March 2022

A Bill to make provision in connection with the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 11th December 2023
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 21st June 2024
Order Paper number: 2
(Likely to be Debated)

A Bill to make provision about the content and use of non-disclosure agreements; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 29th June 2022

A Bill to make provision about the commemoration of the Nakba; to require the Secretary of State to encourage and facilitate annual commemoration of the Nakba; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 15th May 2023

A Bill to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 18th March 2020

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish guidance for state-funded schools on allowing pupil access to toilets during lessons; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 3rd March 2020

A Bill to repeal section 15A of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 22nd June 2020

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend the Requirements for School Food Regulations 2014 to further restrict the serving of foods high in fat, salt or sugar in schools and to require all school meals to be free of added sugar by 2022; to require all publicly-funded schools to adhere to those standards; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Monday 22nd July 2019

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require school uniform policies to be gender-neutral; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 6th March 2019

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to make provision in connection with the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 21st November 2018

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. Repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 7th February 2018
(Read Debate)

41 Bills co-sponsored by Layla Moran

Standards in public life (codes of conduct) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Debbie Abrahams (Lab)

Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Caroline Lucas (Green)

Schools (Mental Health Professionals) (No. 2) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Munira Wilson (LD)

Kinship Care Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Munira Wilson (LD)

Elected Representatives (Codes of Conduct) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Debbie Abrahams (Lab)

Clean Air Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Geraint Davies (Ind)

Carers and Care Workers Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Helen Morgan (LD)

Fire and Building Safety (Public Inquiry) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Daisy Cooper (LD)

Multi-Academy Trusts (Ofsted Inspection) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)

Flexible Working Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tulip Siddiq (Lab)

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Pension Transfers (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Investigation) Bill Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - David Johnston (Con)

Sewage Discharges Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Farron (LD)

Climate Education Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Nadia Whittome (Lab)

Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings (Motion) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Dawn Butler (Lab)

Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021
Sponsor - Mike Amesbury (Lab)

Environment (Regulation) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Farron (LD)

Essay Mills (Prohibition) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Chris Skidmore (Con)

International Development (Women’s Sanitary Products) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Wendy Chamberlain (LD)

Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Dawn Butler (Lab)

Parental Leave (Premature and Sick Babies) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - David Linden (SNP)

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Pension Transfers (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Investigation) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Con)

Parental Rights (Rapists) and Family Courts Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Louise Haigh (Lab)

Prime Minister (Confidence) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tom Brake (LD)

Plastic Pollution Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)

Gender-based Pricing (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)

Access to Fertility Services Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Steve McCabe (Lab)

Plastics Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Geraint Davies (Ind)

Parental Leave and Pay Arrangements (Publication) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jo Swinson (LD)

Toilets (Provision and Accessibility) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Paula Sherriff (Lab)

Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Welfare of Women) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Siobhain McDonagh (Lab)

House of Peers Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)

Immigration (Time Limit on Detention) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tulip Siddiq (Lab)

European Union Withdrawal (Evaluation of Effects on Health and Social Care Sectors) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Brendan O'Hara (SNP)

Food Insecurity Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Emma Lewell-Buck (Lab)

Local Electricity Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jeremy Lefroy (Con)

Local Health Scrutiny Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Gareth Snell (LAB)

Legalisation of Cannabis (Medicinal Purposes) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Karen Lee (Lab)

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) (No.2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Conor McGinn (Ind)

Terminal Illness (Provision of Palliative Care and Support for Carers) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Bambos Charalambous (Ind)

Child Maintenance (Assessment of Parents' Income) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Heidi Allen (LD)

Voyeurism (Offences) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Wera Hobhouse (LD)


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
11 Other Department Questions
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with her counterparts and legislators in (a) Malta, (b) France, (c) Canada, (d) New Zealand, (e) Greece and the relevant regional or state governments of the (i) US, (ii) Spain and (iii) Australia on their legislation on banning conversion practices and their protection of transgender people.

The Government has engaged with a wide range of international counterparts including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Malta, to understand the approaches they have taken to ban conversion therapy. We will continue to engage with counterparts around the world that are committed to protecting everyone from conversion practices to share insight and develop our approach.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on banning sexual orientation and transgender conversion practices.

The Government has been liaising with territorial offices and the devolved administrations including the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on this important issue.

Officials will continue to work with their counterparts across the devolved administrations to discuss the UK Government’s approach to protecting everyone in England and Wales from conversion therapy practices.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the recommendations made by the Ending Conversion Practices Expert Advisory Group in Scotland on 4 October 2022.

The Government has been liaising with territorial offices and the devolved administrations including the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on this important issue.

Officials will continue to work with their counterparts across the devolved administrations to discuss the UK Government’s approach to protecting everyone in England and Wales from conversion therapy practices.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what work has been undertaken by her Department on transgender conversion practices since the Government set out its plans on this topic in its background briefing to the Queen’s Speech in May 2022.

Since May 2022, the Government has launched a support service open to all victims or those at risk of conversion practices regardless of their background or circumstances. The Government has committed up to £360,000 over three years to this service. The service includes a helpline, instant messaging service, and website to enable people to get the support they need.

More widely, the Government remains committed to protecting everyone from these practices. We are carefully considering the responses to the public consultation which closed earlier this year and will respond in due course.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, which accredited medical, counselling or psychological organisations support the Government’s plan to exclude transgender people from a ban on conversion practices.

The Equality Hub Ministers and officials have met with healthcare professionals in developing the policy approach to protecting all individuals from conversion practices. Many such organisations responded to the public consultation that closed in February 2022.

We will continue to meet with healthcare professionals to inform our approach and will respond to the consultation in due course.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
19th Apr 2022
To ask the President of COP26, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's proposed transportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda on meeting the UK's COP26 obligations.

The UK remains committed to honouring its obligations on climate change, including those contained in the Glasgow Climate Pact.


The UK continues to work closely with the Government of Rwanda on climate issues, including ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in June. We are also working in our COP Presidency year to help ensure the world stays on course to meet its commitments and maintains ambitious efforts to keep 1.5 degrees within reach.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2021
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the House of Commons Commission has discussed any plans for a commemoration for Members and staff as part of a memorial day for those who have lost their lives to covid-19.

The Commission has not considered this. However, the Speaker has asked the Speaker’s Chaplain to liaise with St Margaret’s Church to develop a memorial service for the parliamentary community to take part in for those who have lost their lives to Covid. The service will take place in autumn if public health advice continues to allow church services and gatherings at that point.

1st Mar 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding tailored financial support for the wraparound holiday childcare sector to ensure women have adequate childcare support.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQs 147072 and 148867 answered on 22 February 2021.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
10th Feb 2021
What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on barriers to support for migrant women domestic abuse survivors.

This Government is committed to supporting all victims of domestic abuse, regardless of their immigration status. That is why, in December 2020, we launched a £1.5m support for Migrant Victims package, to provide access to safe accommodation and support for those with no recourse to public funds.

Throughout development of our scheme we have responded to concerns about potential barriers to support for migrant victims of domestic abuse, including by adapting the duration of the scheme and its linked prospectus.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
8th Jul 2020
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost to the public purse was of (a) securing, (b) heating, and (c) lighting empty offices on the Parliamentary Estate while (a) staff and (b) hon. Members were instructed to work from home due to the covid-19 outbreak.

At all times the estate has been kept safe and secure and able to support Parliamentary business as required.

It is not possible to provide a specific breakdown of costs relating to empty offices during this period. The following comparison against a similar period last year has been produced. Reductions in usage may not be solely related to Covid-19.

March – May 2019

March – May 2020

Reduction (units)

Approx. Reduction (£)

Natural Gas kWh

8,560,187

6,670,501

1,889,686

£29,725

Electricity kWh

7,196,453

6,328,062

868,392

£95,459

Water m3

48,313

14,294

34,019

£63,490

£188,674

11th Jul 2022
To ask the Attorney General, when the Government last received a legal challenge from an international entity; and what the cost to the public purse was of defending that challenge.

There is a broad range of entities which might be described as “international”, and there is likely to be a range of ongoing litigation against the government (acting for the United Kingdom) brought by different entities at any given time, and at various stages of completion. Proceedings have recently been brought by the European Commission, and other States may take legal action against the UK under specific treaties.

Such cases are dealt with by government lawyers in the relevant departments and the Government Legal Department, with counsel or external law firms instructed through the Attorney General Panel system at fixed rates, or through off-panel nominations also at pre-agreed rates.

In relation to the proceedings recently brought against the UK by the European Commission, the matter is at an early stage and it is not possible to determine the costs incurred so far or what the costs of defending the challenge will ultimately be.

12th May 2022
To ask the Attorney General, what legal advice has she received on the Government’s proposals to adjust or remove the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Attorney General has given legal advice or the contents of any advice. This extends to not commenting on the content of internal discussions in relation to the Attorney General’s function as a Law Officer and chief legal adviser to the Government. This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government will be considering.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
14th Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) non-disclosure and (b) other confidentiality agreements relating to (i) employment, (ii) bullying, (iii) misconduct and (iii) harassment cases have been agreed by their Department in each year since 1 January 2010; and how much money from the public purse has been spent on (A) legal costs and (B) financial settlements for such agreements in each year since 1 January 2010.

Agreement for non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements are devolved to business units; the Cabinet Office does not hold this information centrally. The Cabinet Office is, therefore, not able to respond due to the disproportionate cost of gathering this data.

The Cabinet Office follows the principles laid out in the Cabinet Office Guidance on Settlement Agreements, Special Severance Payments on Termination of Employment and Confidentiality Clauses which is published on the internet, when considering any settlement agreements.

The Government is clear that confidentiality clauses should not be used to prevent staff from raising or discussing allegations of bullying, harassment or discrimination

22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of the (a) creation and (b) updating of the Retained EU law dashboard since its inception.

There has been no additional cost to the public purse by creating the dashboard. The process was led by the Cabinet Office, who commissioned Government Departments to find REUL within their jurisdiction and compile an authoritative account of where REUL sits on the UK statute book.

The dashboard itself is made by the Government Strategic Management Office and is hosted by Tableau, who allow public dashboards to be hosted for free. The dashboard will continue to be updated at no additional cost.

15th Jun 2022
To ask the Prime Minister, when he last had discussions with the Prime Minister of India.

I met Prime Minister Modi on 22 April 2022 during my visit to India. My statement from the joint press conference is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-at-press-conference-with-prime-minister-modi-22-april-2022

15th Jun 2022
To ask the Prime Minister, when he last had a telephone call with the President of Egypt.

I spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on 28 March 2022. A readout is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-president-al-sisi-of-egypt-28-march-2022.

8th Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total value of service sector exports to the EU was in the county of Devon in (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020 and (d) 2021.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the hon. Member’s Parliamentary Questions of 8 June is attached.

26th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has instructed No. 10 staff to preserve evidence for the inquiry into the Government's handling of the covid-19 outbreak.

All departments are aware that the Covid inquiry will bring with it substantial obligations to provide relevant records, information and data, and that preparation for the inquiry includes the need to ensure that no material of potential relevance to the inquiry is destroyed. The Cabinet Office raised this to the attention of all departments across Whitehall in June 2021 and again in February 2022.

19th Apr 2022
To ask the Prime Minister, whether he has ever claimed non-domiciled status.

No.

In relation to other Ministers of the Crown, I would add that Section 41 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 provides that all MPs and sitting peers are automatically deemed to be resident and domiciled in the UK for tax purposes.

10th Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has purchased Pegasus software from NSO Group since 2016.

While we cannot comment on operational specifics, the UK’s intelligence agencies are governed by a robust regulatory framework to ensure our capabilities are always used in a way that is legal, necessary and proportionate - something we ask of all nations.

We continue to promote with our international partners the need for tighter export controls to ensure cyber capabilities are used legally and responsibly and do not threaten or undermine human rights.

25th Jan 2022
To ask the Prime Minister, when he last held a bilateral call with President Biden on the situation in Ukraine.

I held a virtual meeting on Monday 24 January with President Biden and the leaders of Italy, Poland, France, Germany, the European Council, the European Commission and NATO to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Further details can be found on the gov.uk website.

10th Jan 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has plans to bring forward proposals on retained EU law in spring 2022.

As set out in the Paymaster General’s Written Ministerial Statement of 9 December 2021, officials in the Cabinet Office are continuing to undertake two reviews into retained EU law, one into the substance of retained EU law and one into its status in law.

Any proposals for change will be finalised at the conclusion of the reviews. The Queen’s speech will set out the Government’s legislative programme in the normal way.

10th Jan 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether her Department holds responsibility for the review of retained EU law following the resignation of Lord Frost.

The Brexit Opportunities Unit in the Cabinet Office is leading reviews of Retained EU law (REUL). The aim of these two reviews, into the substance and status of REUL, is to ensure that REUL - as established by the EU Withdrawal Act 2018 - does not stagnate on the UK statute book.

An announcement will be made in due course to confirm which Minister will lead these reviews, following the resignation of my Rt Hon Friend Lord Frost.

6th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost of installing air filtration systems in Number 10 and Number 11 Downing Street since March 2020.

The Cabinet Office, which includes the buildings in Downing Street, follows the appropriate Working Safely During Coronavirus guidance. This includes consideration of ventilation as part of any risk assessment. The HSE also provides guidance on this issue.

Air filtration units are one option (not a requirement) that may be used as a mitigation where it is not possible to improve poorly ventilated areas.

In that light, the Cabinet Office has not deemed it necessary, at this time, to install such systems. We will keep this matter under review.

6th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many air filtration systems have been installed in Number 10 and Number 11 Downing Street since March 2020; which rooms those systems have been installed in; and when they were installed.

The Cabinet Office, which includes the buildings in Downing Street, follows the appropriate Working Safely During Coronavirus guidance. This includes consideration of ventilation as part of any risk assessment. The HSE also provides guidance on this issue.

Air filtration units are one option (not a requirement) that may be used as a mitigation where it is not possible to improve poorly ventilated areas.

In that light, the Cabinet Office has not deemed it necessary, at this time, to install such systems. We will keep this matter under review.

23rd Sep 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many bedrooms are available for use at Chequers as at 23 September 2021.

Chequers is not a government building; it is run and managed by an independent trust.

As has been the practice under successive Premiers, the Prime Minister uses Chequers consistent with the wishes of the donor, the late Sir Arthur Lee, who gave it to the nation for the use of the Prime Minister. Chequers is available to Ministers for both official and private use.

Sir Arthur Lee’s wishes are set out in the Chequers Estate Acts 1917: “It is not possible to foresee or foretell from what classes or conditions of life the future wielders of power in this country will be drawn. Some may be as in the past men of wealth and famous descent; some may belong to the world of trade and business; others may spring from the ranks of the manual toilers. To none of these in the midst of their strenuous and responsible labours could the spirit and anodyne of Chequers do anything but good. In the city-bred man especially, the periodic contact with the most typical rural life would create and preserve a just sense of proportion between the claims of town and country. To the revolutionary statesman the antiquity and calm tenacity of Chequers and its annals might suggest some saving virtues in the continuity of English history and exercise a check upon too hasty upheavals, whilst even the most reactionary could scarcely be insensible to the spirit of human freedom which permeates the countryside of Hampden, Burke and Milton. Apart from these more subtle influences, the better the health of our rulers the more sanely will they rule and the inducement to spend two days a week in the high and pure air of the Chiltern hills and woods will, it is hoped, benefit the nation as well as its chosen leaders."

23rd Sep 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many days the Prime Minister has stayed at Chequers overnight in (a) 2020 and (b) 2021 to date.

Chequers is not a government building; it is run and managed by an independent trust.

As has been the practice under successive Premiers, the Prime Minister uses Chequers consistent with the wishes of the donor, the late Sir Arthur Lee, who gave it to the nation for the use of the Prime Minister. Chequers is available to Ministers for both official and private use.

Sir Arthur Lee’s wishes are set out in the Chequers Estate Acts 1917: “It is not possible to foresee or foretell from what classes or conditions of life the future wielders of power in this country will be drawn. Some may be as in the past men of wealth and famous descent; some may belong to the world of trade and business; others may spring from the ranks of the manual toilers. To none of these in the midst of their strenuous and responsible labours could the spirit and anodyne of Chequers do anything but good. In the city-bred man especially, the periodic contact with the most typical rural life would create and preserve a just sense of proportion between the claims of town and country. To the revolutionary statesman the antiquity and calm tenacity of Chequers and its annals might suggest some saving virtues in the continuity of English history and exercise a check upon too hasty upheavals, whilst even the most reactionary could scarcely be insensible to the spirit of human freedom which permeates the countryside of Hampden, Burke and Milton. Apart from these more subtle influences, the better the health of our rulers the more sanely will they rule and the inducement to spend two days a week in the high and pure air of the Chiltern hills and woods will, it is hoped, benefit the nation as well as its chosen leaders."

16th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April 2021 to Question 179464, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the his Department's work to (a) address specific concerns from ethnic minority groups regarding coronavirus vaccines and (b) amplify NHS voices publicising the use of religious sites as vaccination centres to date.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to PQ 33512 on 21 April 2020, and to PQ 40655 on 11 May 2020.

Since the vaccination programme began, the Cabinet Office has worked closely with communications teams in local authorities to promote vaccine uptake, particularly to communities with lower vaccine take-up. Support has included the commissioning of translated materials, the deployment of upweighted advertising in specific areas, and the use of multi-lingual local community street teams to share information about the available vaccines.

Through the Community Champions scheme councils and voluntary organisations will deliver a wide range of measures to protect those most at risk - building trust, communicating accurate health information and ultimately helping to save lives. MHCLG has allocated over £23 million of funding to 60 councils and voluntary groups across England to expand work to support those most at risk from COVID-19 and boost vaccine uptake.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
15th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) civil servants who have been absent from work due to long covid and (b) working days that have been lost as a result since March 2020.

During the pandemic, employees (including civil servants) were advised to work from home where possible. From 19 July 2021, employees are no longer instructed to work from home and government departments, similar to other employers, are starting to plan for employees to gradually return to the workplace.

The Cabinet Office has not currently made any estimates of the number of civil servants who have been absent from work or working days lost due to long COVID across the Civil Service.

However, the Civil Service continues to improve its approach to health and wellbeing for all employees, assisting them to access the support they need. A range of best practice support is available including Occupational Health, Workplace Adjustments, Part Time on Medical Grounds and COVID-19 Supporting Attendance guidance.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
22nd Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs' Written Statement of 21 April 2021 on UK Official Development Assistance departmental allocations 2021-22, Official Report, HCWS935, how much of the Official Development Assistance funding allocated to the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund within Open societies and conflict resolution is allocated to (a) Ukraine, (b) Yemen, (c) Somalia, (d) Myanmar, (e) Afghanistan, (f) Sudan and (g) South Sudan.

The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs’ Written Ministerial Statement of 21 April 2021 sets out the FCDO departmental ODA programme budget allocations. It does not include Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) allocations.

The total CSSF allocation for Financial Year 2021/22 is £874m. CSSF regional and thematic level allocations for 2021/22 will be confirmed to Parliament in a Written Ministerial Statement later in the year.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
19th Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2021 to Question 180587 on Prime Minister: Disclosure of Information, how many discussions he has had with leaders of other nations where a readout has (a) been and (b) not been provided to the media following the event.

As has been the case under successive Administrations, Prime Ministers will speak to their international counterparts on a range of issues. There will be occasions where it is in the national interest that such discussions are confidential.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
13th Apr 2021
To ask the Prime Minister, how many discussions he has had with leaders of other nations where a readout has not been provided to the media following the event to date.

As has been the case under successive Administrations, Prime Ministers will speak to their international counterparts on a range of issues.

12th Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of marketing campaigns designed to help tackle vaccine hesitancy among ethnic minority groups.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to PQ 33512 on 23 March 2020, and PQ 144854 on 1 February 2021.

The Cabinet Office has addressed specific concerns from ethnic minority groups such as vaccine ingredients and amplified NHS voices publicising the use of religious sites as vaccination centres. Working with the Cabinet Office, vaccine communications from DHSC have appeared in 600 national, regional, local and specialist titles, including media for Asian, Bangladeshi, Bengali, Gujarati and Pakistani communities.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Jan 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many EU citizens live in Oxford West and Abingdon constituency.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

20th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2020 to Question 60651 on Renewable energy, what plans his Department has to install solar panels and wind turbines on its buildings in the next five years.

The Government is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This includes taking action to increase the use of renewable energy across the Government estate. Where this relates to solar panels and wind turbines on buildings occupied by the Cabinet Office, active consideration will be given to installation.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
10th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of private photographers for 10 Downing Street in each of the last 12 months.

During the course of the year, 10 Downing Street hosts a number of events to celebrate the work of charities and mark initiatives such as Black History Month, NHS workers, Police Bravery, Pride, International Women’s Day and Girls’ Education. As part of this a freelance photographer is occasionally engaged for the primary purpose of taking photographs of the guests attending; these photographs are then shared with them after the event. This is since there are security restrictions on personal photography by guests. The cost of this over the last 12 months has been £5,100.


Given the Hon. Member's interest in freelance photography, I also refer her to the answer to 28 November 2011, Official Report, Column 733W, by her Rt Hon Friend, the Member for Kingston and Surbiton.

8th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many taxis and private hire cars were taken by Ministers; at what cost to the public purse; and what the average length of journey taken was since 2018.

The full details of the information requested are not held centrally. Cabinet Office policy states that staff, and Ministers, should travel by the most efficient means of transport, and that public transport should be used where possible and appropriate.

Details of ministerial overseas travel are published regularly.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Ministers have used first class travel since 2018; and what the cost to the public purse was of those journeys.

The full details of the information requested are not held centrally. Cabinet Office policy states that staff, and Ministers, should travel by the most efficient means of transport, and that public transport should be used where possible and appropriate.

Details of ministerial overseas travel are published regularly.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
23rd Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of money spent by the Government on opinion polling in relation to covid-19 (a) overall and (b) in each of the last six months.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQs 62462, 62463 and 62562 on 25 June 2020.

20th May 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse was of consultants advising his Department in each financial year from 2017-18 to 2020-21.

Spend on external consultants is published in our Annual Report and Accounts. These are available on gov.uk.

Details of spend over £25,000 are also published on gov.uk.

14th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the social media team in his office has contacted an MP about the existence of anti-Government messages displayed by children in schools (a) since the 2019 general election, (b) in the last six months and (c) in the last year.

The social media team does not engage with MPs on these matters.

19th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she plans to undertake a new review of (a) existing and (b) pending export licences.

All export licences are kept under careful and continual review as standard. We are able to amend, suspend or revoke extant licences and refuse new licence applications as circumstances require.

The FCDO advises DBT on the situation in country and the risks this poses with respect to the UK’s export control responsibilities. The MOD advises DBT on the risks of diversion of exported goods and national security risks arising from hostile state activity.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the closure of post offices on local communities.

While the Post Office has the commercial freedom to deliver the branch network within the parameters Government sets, the Government fully appreciates the impact a Post Office branch closure can have on a community.

With the largest retail network in the country, there will inevitably be variations in the number of branches open at any one time and any closures are usually outside the control of Post Office. However, the network is not in decline and in fact, more post offices opened last year than closed, and the network is as large today as it has been for five years, with around 11,700 branches open – above the 11,500 target that we set the Post Office.

The Government protects the branch network by setting minimum access criteria to ensure that 99% of the UK population lives within three miles of a post office. The Government-set access criteria ensures that however the network changes, vital services remain within local reach for all citizens.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to require all car parks with more than 80 spaces to install solar canopies over at least half the area they cover.

I refer the hon Member to the reply I gave on 14 June 2023 to my hon Friend the Member for North East Hampshire (Ranil Jayawardena) to Question UIN 188072.

The Government is looking to facilitate and promote extensive deployment of rooftop solar on industrial and commercial property in order to make maximum usage of available surfaces for business as well as environmental and climate benefits.

The Government will consider how else to extend deployment further, including with solar car parks.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help attract overseas researchers, academics and innovators to the UK.

We are promoting the UK as a key destination for top science and technology talent through the GREAT Talent campaign and the Global Talent Network.

Our generous and points-based immigration offer makes it easy and fast for talented researchers and innovators to come to the UK.

We have launched a number of attractive visa routes, such as the Global Talent visa, which has seen a 76% rise in visas issued in the year ending June 2023.

Andrew Griffith
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many specialist spaces she expects to be constructed for T Level students with the £50 million funding allocated in the Science and Technology Framework.

On 6 March, the Government announced measures worth around £500 million to support delivery of the science and technology Framework. The Framework set out the UK's ambition for science and technology skills and talent to 2030, which included widening participation at higher technical levels.

Separately, the Department for Education has awarded nearly £200 million to T Level course providers between 2020 and 2023, almost £100 million through the Specialist Equipment Allocation, and at least a further £80 million for Wave 4 T Levels in March 2023. Further capital projects will be announced in the summer to support delivery from 2024.

20th Feb 2023
To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is taking steps to fully associate the UK to Horizon Europe.

The Government has been tirelessly pushing the EU to implement the UK’s association to Horizon Europe including launching consultations in August 2022. The EU has continued to delay UK association to the detriment of researchers in both the UK and EU.

During these delays the Government introduced the Horizon Europe guarantee, which was recently extended to cover all Horizon calls that close on or before 31 March 2023, enabling successful UK-based Horizon applicants to receive funding.

If the EU’s delays continue, the Government will be ready to introduce a comprehensive alternative programme to support the UK R&D sector.

20th Feb 2023
To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an estimate of the number of researchers who have left UK universities due to the delays to the UK's association to Horizon Europe.

The Government has been tirelessly pushing the EU to implement the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, but the EU has continued to delay the UK’s association.

During these delays the Government introduced the Horizon Europe guarantee, which was recently extended to cover all Horizon calls that close on or before 31 March 2023. This ensures that eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe will receive the full value of their funding at their UK host institution for the lifetime of their grant and do not need to leave the UK. The Government does not hold the information requested.